Spring prep preview | Coupeville soccer

Fueled by its offensive firepower, the Coupeville High School soccer team looks to make a deep run in the postseason this year.

Fueled by its offensive firepower, the Coupeville High School soccer team looks to make a deep run in the postseason this year.

Leading the Wolves’ arsenal is Abraham Leyva Elenes, the team’s top scorer the past two seasons.

The senior, who connected on 14 goals in 2015, was an all-conference, first-team player last spring after earning second team honors as a sophomore in Coupeville’s final year in the Cascade Conference.

Senior Sebastian Davis, last year’s No. 2 scorer, returns, as does senior Zane Bundy, who finished second in goals scored as a sophomore before missing much of last season with an injury.

Coach Kyle Nelson also welcomes back seven other letter winners, including first team, All-Olympic League choices senior defender Tanner Kircher and sophomore midfielder William Nelson.

Other lettermen are senior defender/midfielder Taylor Chiles, senior defender Garrett Compton, junior defender/midfielder Uriel Liquidano, senior goalkeeper Connor McCormick, senior defender Cody Menges, senior midfielder Loren Nelson and sophomore midfielder Ethan Sparks.

Key newcomers, according to coach Nelson, are junior midfielder/defender Zack Nail and senior keeper Jose Castro.

“Most of those returning players are seniors who are coming back quicker and stronger,” coach Nelson said. “In our first week of practice, it is clear that we are starting right from where we ended last year.”

Depth is a concern, Nelson said. With a low turnout, injuries, which crippled the team at times last year, could be even tougher for the team to overcome this spring.

“We are already working harder this year to raise fitness levels to try and avoid injuries,” he said.

Last year Coupeville was third in the Olympic League with a 2-4 record (3-11 overall).

“With the way the District 3 tournament is set, I believe we will have a good opportunity for some success,” Nelson said.

Coupeville will host a jamboree at 3 p.m. Friday, March 11. The first match is 4 p.m. at Granite Falls Tuesday, March 16.